day 6

[lesah]

I am not doing well.   Nothing helps.   It's going on 60 hours of zero sleep.  I am losing grip.  I haven't taken a pill but I do feel like I'm not going to be ok

[lild713]

We have faith in you! Just take more rest if needed, also take Vitamins, Water, Gatorade and drink a lot of it even a whole pack if possible that will clear your system out faster and shoudl make you feel little better as well. #StayStrong! I've been there not to long ago and man I was crying and I coudn't even get out of bed even when I tried to push me up and I just broke down and cried.

[rush2112]

You need to listen to what the people are saying.

what you are experiencing is normal...i actually believe that the lack of sleep is what, at this point, is making everything else so intense for you...but it's part of the normal process...you have to do what you have to do to get through the day and try to sleep at night...you are very fortunate that you have such a long time off from work...if you stick to your guns you will be sleeping much by then...try to get out today and soak up a little sun if you can, get out of the house some, you can't stay holed up for a week, that'll drive you nuts in and of itself...good luck

[motye51]

Also wanted to mention (but remember, I detoxed off of subs not opiates) I didn't sleep for almost 2 weeks.  This will not kill us, but it does suck.  Other than 1 hr catnaps here and there, NOTHING!  Would go to bed at 10:00 p.m. and be up every hour on the hour until 4:00 a.m. when I'd get up and post on here....which was funny b/c there were ALWAYS people on here to talk to at 4:00 a.m.!!!!!!  lol

[motye51]

Good morning....ok...remember, this to shall pass.  Swear to God, it will pass, your just right in the thick of ****!!!!!  I detoxed off of subs not the opiates and it's my understanding that this will start to subside around day 9/10....it won't go away totally, but will calm down!  Remember WHY your doing this....Your doing this for you....**** the people around you!  Your doing this to get YOU better!  Granted, it does help to have people around you to help, so USE US!  Tell us anything, everything, all those screwed up thoughts, get them out and tell us!  Never be embarrassed!  Music....I attempted heavy metal at first to try and get mad, and your right, all I wanted to do was use....do you have access to Pandora? If so, type happy, motivational music, and listen to that....let that get in your head!  Motrin 200 mg, I took 3 and 4 at a time, non-narcotic and did take the edge off a bit.  
Question....are you trying to substitute your energy level with caffeine or energy shots of any type b/c I learned early on that that will only make the anxiety worse!  I had to quit all substances that I tried to get energy on for at least 30 days otherwise, I was going to go mad!  You have to go through this....I remember thinking, you know how they show in movies when detoxing you think about your whole life.....I thought it was ********....its not!  I replayed every bad situation, bad experience, problem, all of it!  We really do do that!  Sit down, take a breathe, put the wet rag on the back of your neck....it will start to calm down!  Your no worse than any of the rest of us....we ALL did the same **** your doing now!  Promise!

[ariley13]

What you are going through is pretty standard withdrawal symptoms. I know that it's easy to get caught up in it and feel like you are dying, or something must be wrong. This is all very normal though and we all went through it. I know it is unpleasant to say the least, but you can make it through. You have been offered a ton of great advice on things you can do to help. The biggest thing that helped me during this time was to go with the flow. I know it sounds over simplistic, but not dwelling and obsessing on your symptoms really does help. The more you obsess, the more anxiety you have, the less likely you are to sleep, and it even increases your physical symptoms. The brain is a very powerful thing. Distraction is key. Anything you can do to pass the time without sitting stuck in your head and obsessing about how awful you feel. Walk, jog, clean house, call a friend, chat on here, watch funny tv and/or movies. I promise you, if you force yourself to do something productive, you will feel better.

As far as the sleep goes, unfortunately it is the last thing to come back for most. It will gradually return though. Being as active during the day as you can helps speed up the recovery process. Also, staying away from caffeine, and sugary, processed foods helps. Your daughter suggested Nyquil...that is something that I would stay away from. Everyone is different, but often times people end up feeling worse after taking OTC sleep aids during withdrawal. It makes you that much more groggy, but you still find it hard to sleep. It can also increase issues with restless legs.

I truly hope you find some relief soon, Lesah. Please try to keep the faith and know you are doing a very good thing. You are going to feel better very soon. Stay strong, take care of yourself, and try to keep your head up.

[mamaof4410]

Id say get some support. Without it this is going to be ten times harder. You have to physically have someone to talk to. If not these demons are going to continuously dance around in your head.